Background
Cement plays a vital role in the stabilization and enhancement of civil infrastructure performance, including foundations, pavement layers, bridges, pipelines, and dams. Its curing process, driven by water through cement hydration, is essential for developing concrete's strength and durability.
However, in cold climates, the inherent presence of water within the concrete mixture introduces significant challenges. Freezing temperatures can cause water to freeze and expand, leading to the creation of internal stresses and cracks that damage the concrete structure. These conditions in cold regions present unique challenges, including changing arctic frontiers, thaw-weakening of soils, differential frost-heave, deicing chemicals, bio-corrosion, and atmospheric corrosion hazards.
Invention Description
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed BCPG-S, a low carbon, sustainable replacement material for concrete composed of copper mining tailings and waste plastics from landfills. The surface of waste plastics is modified using bio-oils to form biogenic oil-treated waste plastic granules (biogenic-OTPG). These granules are mixed with copper tailings to form a low-carbon geopolymer composite which can be used as an additive in concrete. The composite is more resilient and durable than concrete in cold weather environments by being more resistant to water infusion and ice formation that can typically lead to cracking due to freeze-thaw cycling in sub-zero conditions. Additionally, this material also reduces the overall carbon footprint of concrete.
Potential Applications:
- Cold weather construction
- Infrastructure resilience
- Sustainable concrete production
Benefits and Advantages:
- Sustainable- promotes reduction in concrete’s carbon footprint
- Enhanced durability- resistant to freeze-thaw cycling and sub-zero conditions
- Versatile- can be used in a wide range of construction applications